HOCKEY.

Southland Times, Issue 18969, 16 June 1923, Page 13 (Supplement)

HOCKEY.

“Circle.”)

(By

A peculiar position has arisen ’n cr.n nection with the original Saturday coni petition owing to the game between Winton and Union on Saturday last ending in a draw. Owing to the intervention of the term holidays the High School team could not complete its matches at the same time as most of the other teams and .‘■.till had to meet Winton when the Union and Collegiate teams had played all their fixture games. With only two Saturdays at its disposal the Association decided that there would not be sufficient time to enable all three teams to meet each other and the remaining fixtures were drawn up so that Union and Collegiate would meet while Winton completed its round by playing High School. It was also agreed that should Winton defeat High School it should play off with the winning team in the UnionCollegiate fixture for the premiership. Union defeated Collegiate and Winton defeated High School, but as alreadv stated in the play-off last Saturday Union and Winton drew. The question has now been asked whether these two teams will have to play each other again for the premiership or whether Collegiate will play Winton be fore the latter earns the right to meet Union a second time. Should Collegiate defeat Winton Union would win the competition by a point, but if Winton won it would still be equal with Union and a play-off would be necessary. Union had to play both Winton and Collegiate and it would seem pnly fair that Winton should also have to play its two games. The general opinion seems to be that the Association should adopt this course rather than adhere to its original plan, and unless it does it is bound to cause some dissatisfaction. The game between Winton and Union was unusually interesting and if onlookers were more frequently given an opportunity

of seeing * such games, the pastime would soon become popular. The first spell did not give any indication that the game would develop into such an exciting contest, but the second spell was full of interest and both teams played better hockey than they had done in any other match of the season. The hopes of the country team’s supporters ran high when Winton opened up so well in the second spell and the general impression seemed to be that Union would be defeated. Their play seemed to be disorganised until Miss Clark saved the situation by scoring a fine goal after taking the ball through on her own from the half-way flag. From that on the play was more even and a draw was a fitting conclusion to the game. Miss H. Horner was outstanding in the Winton forward line and must have been particularly fit to have been able to stand up to all the work she was called upon to do. Whenever the ball came to her she invariably made the best use of it and her smart runs down the side line, her in-passing and her shooting at goal were also particularly good. The passing of the Winton forward line as a whole was a big improvement on their previous play, but their circle was fairly weak especially in the first part of the game. Mrs Jamieson, however, sent in several very hard shots and was responsible for scoring one of the country team's goals.

Winton’s half-back line was clever at intercepting passes, but both outside halves were frequently penalised for obstructing. Miss K. Horner at centre played a fairly solid game all through and was of great assistance to her forwards. Union’s front row players found difficulty in passing Miss M. Horner at full-back whose hard hitting was very seldom intercepted before the ball reached her own forwards. She was responsible for the majority of the Winton attacks, but on occasions she could have worked to better advantage by sending the ball out to the wings instead of hitting straight up-field. The Union team’s captain played an unselfish game and by nicely placed passing enabled the other forwards to make good openings. Her stick-work was also clever and she was most troublesome to the Winton team’s defence. Miss W. Clark also played a very fair game and it was probably due to her that the Union team was able to come through without defeat. The Winton team had been attacking strongly for some time, when a clearing hit from Miss Rose to Miss Clark found the Winton backs out of position. Union’s inside-right broke through the opposing backs and finished off a great run by scoring a good goal. That gave the Union players fresh heart and considerably changed the aspect of the game. Miss Rabbidge, centre-half, did not play so consistently well as in former matches, but nevertheless was the outstanding halfback of the game. She is not so easily flustered as most other halves and invariably passes the ball to the player who is in the best position to make use of it. Miss Rose played a sound game at fullback and stood up to the Winton attacks in good style. She did not receive so much support as usual from Miss Hawke, whose speculations sometimes got her side into difficulties.

Miss M. Morton, the Winton goalie, and Miss Ollernshaw, goalkeeper for the Union team, both gave very good displays and the former’s kicking out saved her side on more than one occasion. It was a pleasure to those interested in hockey to see four games in progress at Queen’s Park on Saturday last, for the first time in the history of ladies’ hockey in Southland. Three of the teams belonged to the B grade which has been introduced this season and which should do a great deal towards maintaining the standard of hockey in Southland. A number of those at present playing in senior hockey may drop out of the game in a season or two and by that time some of the present B grade players will be in a position to take their places in senior grade hockey. The defeat of Winton by Collegiate on Saturday last would come as a surprise to the majority of players, especially in view of the fact that it was played on the country team’s ground. From what I have heard of the match it must have been a close rival to the Winton-Union match for excitement, and after the display given by the country team on the previous Saturday Collegiate’s win was very meritorious. It was a pity that, owjng to a misunderstanding, H. and J. Smith’s B grade team did not get a match on Wednesday, but the Association will probably draw up the fixtures afresh at its meeting on Tuesday next. The team filled in the afternoon at practice and received some coaching from one of its players, who had previously taken part in hockey. The work of erecting the pavilion is proceeding satisfactorily and within a week or two it should be an accomplished fact. An English exchange gives a very interesting account of a recent match between England and Francd played in Paris. The match was watched by 4,000 sepctators and after a most exciting contest England won by the narrow margin of two goals to one. In the first spell the French team, which showed splendid form, frequently pressed the English defence and led at half-time by one goal to nil. England had the better of the second spell and won as stated. Commenting on the game the exchange says:—“lt was the improvement in the style of the French forward play which called for special praise. It was quite the finest display ever given by the Frenchmen against. England, and a vast advance on that given at Beckenham last season, when France lost to England by 16—0. Two players appeared before the Wellington Men's Association last week to answer charges of rough play. Both were found guilty and in one case the player was cautioned. The other, however, was suspended for one playing Saturday but according to his remarks he will not play again. When he was informed of the penalty he stated that he had a good set of golf sticks and would now be able to use them.

SCHOOL HOCKEY

The position of the teams playing in the primary schools’ hockey competition is as follows:

The unfavourable weather and a considerable amount of sickness among the school girls have caused the postponement of the fixtures on several occasions. However, as an early start was made, it is expected that th? round will finish in good time. South School, last year’s winners, are leading so far this year, but Woodlands and St. George teams are both showing improved form and the second round should provide some close games. Woodlands especially are playing a good game and their second match v. South to-day should provide some good hockey.

Played. Won. Drawn, Lost. Pits. South .. . .3 3 — — f Woodlands 4 3 — 1 € St. Geerge 3 1 — 2 2 Middle .. . .4 0 — 4 C